Golden Soccer 360

Edwin van der Sar has appeared to rule himself out of the running for the new technical director role at Manchester United. The current Ajax general director, who won the Champions League and four Premier League titles as United's No 1, was reportedly a candidate for the new role - charged with revamping the club's scouting and recruitment structure. But he has described the report as "nonsense" and committed his immediate future to Ajax, where he has helped progress a successful recruitment model of developing and selling on promising young players. "I saw it (the report) a few weeks ago in the press, but that story about United is nonsense," he was quoted as saying on the weekly  Inside Ajax program on  Ziggo Sport  in the Netherlands on Friday. "I think I have a two-year contract. Ajax is my club and I would like to stay longer. The success we strive for and want to achieve is beautiful." Sky Sports News  reported late last month th...

Former Manchester City and Barcelona midfielder Yaya Toure has rejoined Olympiakos - 12 years after making his mark in Europe with the Greek Super League club. The 35-year-old Ivory Coast international played for the Piraeus-based side during the 2005-2006 season, scoring three goals in 20 matches. He then joined Monaco, before moving on to Barcelona between 2007 and 2010. After their Gulf-based owners injected huge funds into Manchester City, Toure was one of the key signings who helped the club win three Premier League titles in seven seasons. He played 230 matches for City, scoring 59 goals, but was released at the end of last season after another title triumph. Toure is now back with Olympiakos, although the club have not released any financial details or the duration of the contract. Toure wrote on his website: "It is an honour to be back at Olympiakos! "When I left in 2006 I said I would come back and I am delighted to keep my word. I h...

Spain play their first match since the World Cup when they take on England in the Nations League live on  Sky Sports  on Saturday, but what can we expect for Luis Enrique's new era? The former Barcelona manager was appointed on a two-year contract in July following Julen Lopetegui's acrimonious sacking before the World Cup. Spain went on to endure a poor tournament in Russia, only winning one group game before being knocked out on penalties by the hosts. With Luis Enrique now aiming to take them back to the top, we asked Spanish coach Pep Clotet, currently assistant manager to Garry Monk at Birmingham City, what to expect from his new-look side. Pragmatism and pressing Luis Enrique promised "evolution and not revolution" at his unveiling back in July, insisting he will continue with Spain's traditional passing approach, but there are likely to be some stylistic adjustments. According to Clotet, the new head coach won't hesitate to put his stamp on...

Paul Pogba admitted there will "always be talk" about his future at Manchester United, but claims it is not him doing the talking. Speaking to reporters after France's 0-0 Nations League draw with Germany in Munich on Thursday night, Pogba said it was "always good" to meet up with his World Cup-winning team-mates again. Asked if he was "fed up" with all the speculation in England about his relationship with United manager Jose Mourinho, the 25-year-old midfielder said: "It's not me who's talking. "I'm trying to work on myself physically. I got back late [from the World Cup], so I'm trying to perform as well as possible. "I'm just trying to do my job and for the rest there'll always be talk." Pogba's comments, however, came after he gave an interview to Sky Germany that fuelled speculation about his happiness, and long-term future at Old Trafford. "My future is currently in Manchest...

Mario Balotelli has returned to the Italy squad for the first time in four years under Roberto Mancini. Ahead of their Nations League games against Poland and Portugal, both live on  Sky Sports , we examine how he has turned things around - and whether it will last… Mario Balotelli's stock was low back in the summer of 2016. The striker's frequent misdemeanours had been offset by thrilling performances during his younger years, but after just two league goals in his last two seasons with Liverpool and AC Milan, a career that once promised so much appeared to be drifting in the wrong direction. Two years on, however, and Balotelli is looking up again. The 28-year-old has rekindled his career at Nice following his departure from Liverpool, and Roberto Mancini, his old mentor at Manchester City, has rewarded him with a recall to the Italy fold. Here, we look at how football's  enfant terrible turned it all around. The return to form "We are very pleased to welc...

Germany coach Joachim Low has confirmed there is no chance of Mesut Ozil returning to the squad after he announced his retirement from international football in July. Arsenal playmaker Ozil accused some members of the German FA of racism, with Low later claiming he was not consulted by the player before he made his decision. Germany play France in the UEFA Nations League on Thursday - live on  Sky Sports  - with Low attempting to rebuild confidence after their group-stage World Cup exit this summer, minus Ozil. "I think everything has been said about this. When a player announces his resignation like that, you don't pick him for the squad eight or nine weeks later," said Low. "Players who have resigned will not have a role to play in future. He's said he doesn't want to play, he told us his thoughts, I don't know why we should keep talking about it. "He was part of the team for a long time but not anymore, for this team it's over and...

Toni Kroos believes Leroy Sane can be a match-winner for Germany and Manchester City, providing he listens to advice and works on improving his body language. Despite playing a key role in City's Premier League-winning squad last season, Sane was not part of his country's World Cup squad this summer. But after Germany's travails in Russia, coach Joachim Low named the 22-year-old in his squad for Thursday's UEFA Nations League opener against France in Munich -  live on Sky Sports -  and the friendly international against Peru on Sunday. Sane's recall to the international fold coincides with his omission from the Manchester City squad, where he is yet to start for Pep Guardiola's side and was not even named among the substitutes for the 2-1 Premier League win over Newcastle on Saturday. "Sometimes you have the feeling with Leroy's body language that it is all the same, whether we win or lose. He has to improve his body language," said Real ...